Meet the VIBE team: Part 3

Allison Padaong

The vibrant and enigmatic Allison Padaong is a 14-year-old freshman at Okkodo High School.

"I decided to join VIBE because it was a good opportunity to get out more," she says. "Also, to help me with choosing my career path. I'm not sure what I (want to) major in (in) college, so I thought that if I do different activities, ... I can determine which one I (want to) stick with."

Allison's ambition and insatiable quest for self-discovery led to her success in school. She says she does her best to excel in school and that she earns high grades.

Allison describes herself as "contradictory" in many facets of her personality. The timid, taciturn student in the classroom morphs into a loquacious, stimulating girl outside of it. She says she "can be as loud as the normal teenager" can be, and she likes holding intense discussions when introduced to interesting topics.

Allison says she feels she's often perceived by strangers as the "quiet girl," but she's not afraid to reveal her true, vivacious self to those she is comfortable being around.

Allison enjoys reading what she describes as "normal" books -- usually mystery and romance novels. She also likes supernatural sagas involving mythical creatures such as werewolves. She has yet to read an installment of the "Twilight" series, however.

Allison also enjoys listening to piano and violin instrumentals, admiring the sound of raindrops falling and staying indoors. Her reflective, introspective and easy-going demeanor makes her easy to relate to and get along with. She is unassuming and modest, yet steadfast and unyielding in her aspirations.

She's also ready and willing to take on new challenges in order to grow as a person, yet she also is grounded in her sense of limits and capacities.

Joseph Babauta

A 17-year-old senior, Joseph Babauta has attended George Washington High School for all four of his high school years. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, singing, writing music and being active, especially as a member of his school's cross country team.

The whole guitar jamming thing came from his dad.

"My dad inspired me to do music," says Joseph, "Every night he'd take his guitar and sing us to sleep. He's really into family and music."

Recently, Joseph performed at Java Junction's open mic night.

"At first I was really nervous, but after playing the first few songs, I learned how to just let loose," he says.

Joseph joined VIBE through his friend and classmate, Dustin Daleno, who's also a member of the VIBE team.

"I like to write," says Joseph, who had some specific reasons for joining VIBE. "I'd like to improve my writing, and inform teens about staying fit and help them realize how easy it is to stay healthy."

Joseph's journalism aspirations center around being more like his brother, Leo, a writer who inspired Joseph to write as well. "My brother, Leo, used to write for the PDN. Now he has, like, the biggest blog. ... And he wrote a book. And the way he inspires people -- I want to do that; what he's doing. I want to inspire people."

When he graduates, Joseph hopes to be a teacher, a personal trainer and a musician -- all at the same time. In the future, Joseph says he sees himself doing his own thing.

"Playing music, writing songs and, hopefully, just inspiring people. That's my main goal. I think that should be everyone's goal."

Joseph feels his need to inspire people stems from personal experience because he has been inspired to do so many things.

"I guess it's just my way of changing the world."

Noel M.D. Rubio

Noel Martin David Rubio already is making his presence known and his voice heard even though it's his first year as a VIBE intern.

He is 16 years old and a sophomore at Father Duenas Memorial School.

Noel describes himself with one phrase -- an "involved intellect." He does everything with passion, is outspoken, and lives by Gandhi's philosophy: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

He believes man has an uncanny thirst for challenges. As a student and individual, he wants to be the embodiment of that statement.

"I want to do as much as I can to exceed limits and positively impact society," he says.

When Noel isn't busy with fulfilling Gandhi's doctrine by participating in community service activities, he enjoys reading, writing, blogging and baking.

He also spends time hanging out with his friends, running track and field, shooting air rifles with his fellow Junior ROTC members, biking and debating

"I'm versatile in trying new things, as long as it is not illegal!"

He loves applied sciences, especially physics. He's working hard to get into Yale University, where he plans to major in physics and philosophy.

Noel feels his "worldview, curiosity and thirst for knowledge" has steered him toward his goals.

"Mastering a large range of subjects is one of the most rewarding experiences one can undergo," he says.

Noel hopes VIBE will be one of the places where he will be able to achieve his goals. He believes VIBE can challenge his mind, while allowing him to think freely. He also feels the program is the perfect outlet for him to share his work with the general public.

"I want to reach out to my peers and relate and share messages which will lead them to carry the world into a bright future."